Readers Write

Northern Advocate, 27 July 1938, Page 6

Readers Write

If one grows carrots or cabbages ' he knows he must use them before < they run to seed, otherwise they are' worthless as edi-' bles. In the viril-' ity of their younger, days they build up a store of luscious food, which, however, at inflorescence, nature demands shall be handed over to support the production of seed: and so gradually but surely this nutriment is drained out of its present repository, leaving a worthless fibrous mass. Incidentally, at this stage, the plant has not much longer to live. By an allied process, Socialism is setting out to drain the repository of all the business, wealth and vitality of our society. But when it has picked the flesh from the financiar bones of industry, where will it turn for the next meal? Cannibalism can't be practiced twice on the same victim. And, having once experienced the cannibalistic delight of e&ting one's enemies, will anything less tasty ever satisfy the Socialist appetite? Won't these modern materialistic reformers inevitably become Russi&nistic, and start upon their friends? • I wonder if this is why the practice is called "social"-ism—living on one's friends?

SOCIAL :annibalism.

Is it the handwriting on the wall, Mr Editor? Is society running to seed? I notice the Flower has been much in evidence in your columns lately, and to good purpose. But I don’t like to think that these things presage the end. Yet the analogy is so strong that my jaded mind, refuses t 0 countenance any other explanation. However, I retain the satisfaction that I will not commit suicide by voting for this social festivity.—T. W. CAMERON.

I recently took a stroll through Whangarei, keeping a look-out for a likely topic of interest for your column. My luck must

PRESENT OR FUTURE?

have been in, because I had hardly stopped at the Bank of New Zealand Corner when I met a perfect stranger, who remarked on the weather. Then I saw he was reially anxious to get on to another topic, and I listened to quite a long criticism of the late Government. He finished up by saying: "The people of New Zealand are now in (a better position than ever they were." I said: "Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof— And there is a future." The other then declared: "That's the trouble; its the time to come I am worrying about'.' I think he is not the only one having the same sort of worry; not omitting some of your correspondents.—"JEßOßOAM.

Kingfishers have a voracious appetite, and live chiefly on insects, small fish, water creatures, worms, etc. They

are natural killers, quite fearless, and will definitely attack and eat fantails 'and other small birds. This trait is general to the species at all times of the year (it is the small insectivorous birds which foel the real pinch of winter supplies.) It is reasonable to believe, that the kingfisher, which was, at one time, mainly a fish and water creature eater, has of lste years, more or less, forsaken the water, and turned towards the lc.-I'd for its food. This account to a large extent for Lie kingfisher's destruction of small bird life.

KINGFISHERS.

I live within the and several kingfishers frequent a small orchard close to the house. Here I have see;*, a kingfisher attack, kill and eat portions of full-grown mise, (I have seen two mice caught and killed in the same morning.) Within the last month I have seen 'a fantail and a goldfinch attacked and killed, and a blackbird chased. A tamo budgerigar (with one wing was taken outside for an airing, and placed in a small tree, and watched. It was attacked very quickly and had to dive to the ground for safety. Naturally, the budgie was quickly rescued, and not offered for sacrifice again. Kingfishers generally will only eat a small part of birds they kill, but they will attack and kill small birds, whether hungry or not. They are solitary, sullen and vicious hunters, and resent any other birds being in their vicinity or trespassing on their preserves. The fantail, being lan in-sect-eating bird, and catching its food in the air, during which it twists,) turns and flits about, making itself very conspicuous, is sure to attract the attention of, land annoy, any kingfisher in the vicinity. When the fantail perches and nests, it is an easy prey the kingfisher. I believe this to be the reason why so many fantails are destroyed by kingfishers. I do not think that la kingfisher would eat anything that it did not kill itself; they are definitely a hunting bird. Your correspondent, “Bird Life,” refers to the kingfisher as the friendly kingfisher. Believe me the kingfisher is not friendly, with anyone or anything—not even with its own kind. (It is only friendly with its mate in the breeding season.) As a bird it has no pleasing traits. The kingfisher, when perched, is a squat, clumsy-looking bird, but when in flight, especially low over water, with the sun glistening on its green sheen of wings and back, it is a pretty sight. The kingfisher has one good point: It is an excellent parent, a good feeder of its young, and will defend its nest land young against even human beings. And that’s saying a Iot.—“BIRD FANCIER.”